March 25, 2009

Wolves take 5th at State Basketball Tournament

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

The Watford City boys basketball team closed out its 2008-2009 campaign on a high note as the Wolves defeated the Bowman Bulldogs 62-46 in the consolation championship game of the State Class B Boys Basketball Tournament at the Minot State Dome on Saturday afternoon.
Although Bowman got off to an early lead, Watford City’s smothering defense and high powered offense soon tamed the Bulldogs.
Nick Liebel put the Wolves on top with 6:05 left in the first quarter when he netted a three-pointer to give Watford City an 8-6 lead and then it was all Watford City as the Wolves led 19-14 at the end of the first quarter of play.
In a hard fought second quarter, Bowman would challenge the Wolves late in the quarter when Brock Boos nailed a three-pointer to draw the Bulldogs back to a two-point deficit, 26-24, with 1:22 left in the quarter, but Christian Schulz answered right back for Watford City as he scored back-to-back baskets to put Watford City on top 31-24.
Watford City cranked up the pressure in the second half as the Wolves opened the third quarter outscoring the Bulldogs 14-9 in the first five minutes of play to build a 12-point, 45-33, lead before Bowman would battle back to trail 45-37 at the end of the quarter.
Kevin Sanford opened the fourth quarter knocking down a pair of quick baskets to put the Wolves back on top by 12 points and then Watford City coasted to the win.
Christian Schulz and Kevin Sanford paced the Wolves in scoring with 17 and 16 points, respectively.
Also scoring for Watford City in the contest was Nick Liebel with 8 points, Trey Jacobson and Casey Jore with six points each, Justin Flatland with four points, James Neer and Shawn Fulwider with two points each, and Tyler Flatland with one point.
For the game, Watford City shot 56 percent from the field, hitting on 24 of 43 attempts and was good on eight of 14 at the free-throw line for 57 percent.
Bowman out-rebounded Watford City 33-27.
Watford City    19    31    45    62
Bowman    14    24    37    46
Watford City statistics: Rebounds: Justin Flatland, 7; Trey Jacobson, 4; Kevin Sanford, 3; Christian Schulz, 3; Nick Liebel, 2; Tyler Flatland, 2; James Neer, 1; Reid Johnson, 1; Jesse Weber, 1. Assists: Liebel, 6; J. Flatland, 4; Sanford, 2; Jacobson, 1; T. Flatland, 1.  Fouls: Sanford, 4; J. Flatland, 3; Schulz, 2; Liebel, 2; Johnson, 2; Casey Jore, 1; T. Flatland, 1.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER